Police seized over £10,000 in cash and a significant amount of high-valued stolen goods in a raid following an investigation into courier theft.
Officers recovered the stolen parcels including designer clothes and electrical items whilst tracking down a man and arresting him in connection with the theft.
The courier theft report came into police from a London man who was shocked to receive a tampered box full of nappies rather than a £550 laptop he bought online from Nottingham in good faith.
Having spoken to the seller from Colwick he soon realised that the swap could have possibly made in transit and called police.
The packaged laptop had originally been picked up by a delivery driver in 29 March and was delivered to the capital two days later.
The seller then managed to track down the stolen laptop on sale online in Beeston, Nottingham, after receiving a notification and identifying a distinctive dent and scuff mark on the item.
He contacted the police who tracked down a house in Trafalgar Road, Beeston, and executed a warrant on Wednesday 19 May 2021. There they discovered in excess of £10,000 in cash and a number of high-end items including phones, laptops and designer handbags believed to have been taken during numerous courier scams.
Officers moved quickly to arrest a 41-year-old man on suspicion of theft. A van was also searched nearby and the stolen laptop was seized from within.
Detective Sergeant Dave Prest, of Mansfield Criminal Investigation Department, is leading the complex investigation. He said: “The force is working closely with the courier service and Action Fraud to help with our enquiries after the discovery of a number of items being stolen.
“This isn’t just a Nottinghamshire issue, we’ve only received one report like this, but nationally courier scams have sadly increased. Courier services have had a huge demand over the past year due online sales due to coronavirus and with that demand needed delivery drivers to make these deliveries.
“Unfortunately some criminals have seen an opportunity in the increase of parcels being delivered and taken advantage of victims.
“Everyone involved in this incident are clearly upset and we are working closely with the courier service to have the item they bought in good faith to finally be delivered.
“The investigation is in its infancy, but it’s believed that other items have been stolen possibly since Christmas, so people will have missed out over the festive period which is sad to see.
“We’re asking the Nottingham public to be vigilant and report any suspicious behaviour around delivery drivers, couriers and postal workers.
“We’d also ask our communities to look out for any suspicious behaviour – and remember if you’ve been offered something for sale – at a price that seems too good to be true – it could be stolen.
“The force continues to work with delivery companies to share crime prevention and safety messages so that we can all receive the parcels we have ordered.
“We are appealing to anyone who has suffered from courier theft to contact the police by calling 101. In an emergency always dial 999. To remain anonymous please contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.” The arrested man has since been bailed with conditions.
